topic Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star? in Kitchen

Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

ciao_bella — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:06:19 GMT

I'm not really crazy about any of the contestants or their culinary skills, though I must say, Luca is very easy on the eyes.. What do you all think of the show this year?

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

stilltamn8r — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:17:44 GMT

No true breakout stars, but glad Luca is back and he is much improved!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Sabatini2 — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:38:29 GMT

Sigh. Yes, I'm watching, ciao, though I really don't know why. Just bored, I suppose.

I'm finding it hard to like the judges, and have been particularly disappointed in Alton Brown lately. He's lost his...soul? Maybe that's too harsh, but he'd be the 1st one to tell a contestant to stick to who they are, while he himself has left behind the goofy, boyishness which made him endearing. It was a nice counterpoint to his scientific egg-headed-ness. Now, he just seems like a dour and disapproving old schoolmaster. All he's missing is a pointer to rap the contestants knuckles with.

I think they all like the cowboy this season. (The ex beauty queen looked a little 'off' when she wore a tiara during the Vega poolside challenge. She'd better lose that thing!)

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

stilltamn8r — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:47:14 GMT

Until I started watching NFNS a few years ago, I never realized what a "mean streak" Alton had... I like the butcher chick, and yes, the judges seem to favor the cowboy....no one really jumps out at me....

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

SusyQ22a — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:52:51 GMT

I also think that the cowboy is ahead in this competition. I don't really care for any of them. Did you see the foods they were supposed to test? $777 for a burger, $1000 for a sundae. I can't imagine going out and paying that for a meal.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Spurt — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:01:41 GMT

Yes...Luca is easy on eyes.....

Not really excited about any of the contestants though.......

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

ciao_bella — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:05:02 GMT

I so agree with all of you. Alton Brown is showing a completely different side that is not very appealing. I do think they're favoring the cowboy as well. At least it's not the blonde from Texas (not sure of her name). She thinks she's all it!!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Sabatini2 — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:08:13 GMT

What bugs me the most is that they seem to focus more on personality, or on someone being a personality, way more than the food itself....but that's what wrong w/ the FoodNetwork, which also lost it's way years ago.

I want to learn something! Give me Sarah Moulton absentmindedly de-boning a turkey while taking & answering phone calls from viewers, or Julia Child whipping up a souffle any day! They were entertaining, yes, but above all, informative. They made me feel that yes, I can do that.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

AnneMary — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:12:45 GMT

I like watching this show too, and I agree that Alton Brown seems to have changed somewhat, and I just don't like watching him anymore. He can be gruff, in a cruel like way. Seems like his new growth on his face has changed him and not for the better! No one is jumping out at me either yet, but the more I see the cowboy, I almost can see some kind of a western, barbeque, trail cook, etc. kind of program designed around him. He kind of looks the cowboy theme. No one else is coming across with anything to me so far. We'll just have to wait and see. Seems like when it gets to the end, it's a big surprise to me because the winner is someone I never would have thought would win the thing!!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

birkin baby — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:16:11 GMT

I think the show needs to stop the stupid gimmicks and let these contestants cook....and present their food in short segments. Sabatini2,what a great observation about Alton Brown.I couldn't put my finger on what was so unappealing about him on this show. I used to love him on Good Eats. He acts like he was weaned on a pickle ...he gives stank face if he doesn't like something and acts so arrogant. I wouldn't watch any of these people on a show. Oh why do I even watch,I ask myself? I started it and gives I just want to see which DUD comes out top DUD! Lol

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Sabatini2 — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:17:47 GMT

On 7/22/2014 birkin baby said:
I think the show needs to stop the stupid gimmicks and let these contestants cook....and present their food in short segments. Sabatini2,what a great observation about Alton Brown.I couldn't put my finger on what was so unappealing about him on this show. I used to love him on Good Eats. He acts like he was weaned on a pickle ...he gives stank face if he doesn't like something and acts so arrogant. I wouldn't watch any of these people on a show. Oh why do I even watch,I ask myself? I started it and gives I just want to see which DUD comes out top DUD! Lol

birken, you made me laugh out loud! Excellent analogy!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

birkin baby — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:19:56 GMT

I miss Sarah Moulten.I used to like watching Food Network but now it's all dum competition shows.Well.Chopped and cupcake wars are ones I enjoy. They actually cook stuff. I used to love the original Japanese version of Iron Chef.It was so weird and interesting and I loved the voiceovers and the cool guest judges. It was an hour of crazy foreign fun.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Sabatini2 — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:24:02 GMT

On 7/22/2014 birkin baby said:
I miss Sarah Moulten.I used to like watching Food Network but now it's all dum competition shows.Well.Chopped and cupcake wars are ones I enjoy. They actually cook stuff. I used to love the original Japanese version of Iron Chef.It was so weird and interesting and I loved the voiceovers and the cool guest judges. It was an hour of crazy foreign fun.

And ITA. Great late night fun!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

DiAnne — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:31:28 GMT

I watched the first few but then stopped and I really don't care for that cowboy!

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

VaBelle35 — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:00:10 GMT

I never liked Alton. He ruins the Thanksgiving thing and Iron Chef and all the other shows he's a part of.

I never liked Bobby Flay but Next Food Network Star seemed to show a better side to him and I like him a lot more now.

I have to FF Giada on this show. She is beyond annoying.

I don't know why I still watch. My TiVO records it so I watch it later in the week when nothing is on. I think any of them will have a goofy show that will do okay on the Network. Most of them get some work out of this.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

jaxs mom — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:14:32 GMT

The only reason I watch it, is nothing else is on. It's rerun season and I'm only watching Tyrant, the Last Ship and this. I can't wait until August 9th when Outlander starts.

Alton is a crank, Giada is stuck up and catty, Bobby is a least tolerable. All the emphasis on "culinary point of view" is just ridiculous as is their obsession with personal anecdotes. I don't give a flip if your grandma made it while she rowed a boat to freedom while being pursued by killers. Does it taste good? Can you describe it in such a way that I want to try it? Can you cook? Are you at least somewhat personable on camera so I don't want to change the channel while you're talking? ( I wish I could say the same for the judges on that show) That's all that I care about.

I can't believe Sara is still on and Emma was sent home.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

elated — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:25:52 GMT

I think it is boring to watch and the challenges do not make a food network star. I think Lenny is ok but he has been given a pass because the other contestants are less than stellar. Alton Brown is good on Cutthroat Kitchen. He is actually funny at times on this program. I did not like the last winner of Food Network Star. She was hard to watch.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

Alter Ego — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:50:33 GMT

I wasn't going to, but I'm watching. Guess there's just nothing else on that interests me. I actually don't dislike the contestants this year - last year was brutal (although there is nobody I like as much as last year's meat on the side woman - she was my FAVE and am still upset she was eliminated.) Even if they are pushing for the cowboy, at least he has cooking knowledge, as shown in Sunday's episode when other contestants were going to him for advice. Don't really care who wins, but wouldn't be angry with any one of them. I'm another person who never liked Alton Brown.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

GCR18 — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 02:05:49 GMT

I'm watching, but not attached to any of the contestants.

Re: Anyone Watching the Next Food Network Star?

lovesrecess — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 02:29:22 GMT

On 7/22/2014 Sabatini2 said:
Sigh. Yes, I'm watching, ciao, though I really don't know why. Just bored, I suppose.

I'm finding it hard to like the judges, and have been particularly disappointed in Alton Brown lately. He's lost his...soul? Maybe that's too harsh, but he'd be the 1st one to tell a contestant to stick to who they are, while he himself has left behind the goofy, boyishness which made him endearing. It was a nice counterpoint to his scientific egg-headed-ness. Now, he just seems like a dour and disapproving old schoolmaster. All he's missing is a pointer to rap the contestants knuckles with.

I think they all like the cowboy this season. (The ex beauty queen looked a little 'off' when she wore a tiara during the Vega poolside challenge. She'd better lose that thing!)

I feel the very same way about Alton...he used to be one of my favorites but now he just doesn't act like he wants to even be there. He has become the networks' curmudgeon.

I used to look forward to NFNS but can't really get excited to any of the contestants this season....every week is just some challenge that never really shows if they can cook. I quit watching.